A registered charity that provides artists studios, exhibition space and public engagement with contemporary art in the heart of east Oxford

Featured Artist Nathalie Moisy

Introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your practice?

Reflecting on my European heritage and my many years in Asia, my art practice is a search of a contemporary fusion of Western and Japanese aesthetic principles. Born in France, I lived most of my life abroad where I discovered and enjoyed multi cultural environments. It broadened my artistic sensibility and aesthetic values. Fascinated by brushes, ink and paper I studied Japanese calligraphy extensively and back in Europe I applied myself to western lettering and further art education to complement my oriental training. My MA research concentrated on Modern Japonisme. I am also a graduate gemologist and studied jewellery design. I have been a professional jeweller for many years, earning international accolades before concentrating now exclusively on non-representational art or abstraction in painting and lettering arts. However working with precious materials and small expressionism forms enabled my love for details and refinement, qualities I find essential for my art practice. I focus on a contemporary fusion of East West aesthetic values.

Based on some philosophical constructs on the appreciation of beauty and art in both cultures, my work looks at the interdependence of various cultures and also reflects and questions the feasibility and legitimacy of visually articulating fusion philosophical constructs, and in a more general context of multi-cultural awareness it explores the value of compound narratives presented to a wider audience.

Believing interdisciplinary art, I approach my work with a combination of theoretical analysis and studio practice and a few recurring themes are Nature, Landscapes and the power and intricacy of human relationships.

What are you currently working on?

Currently I am working on the idea of the impact of human and commercial behaviors on environmental sustainability.

How do you spend your time when you are at the studios?

The studio is a place to physically work on larger and more energetic pieces. The studio is a personal place where I solely focus on applying technically the results of my theoretical research without procrastinating. I do not bring any digital equipment with me on purpose so I can concentrate exclusively on the practical aspects of my practice.

What are your other (work) commitments if any?

I work as a full time artist, calligrapher and graphic designer. In addition to my personal research subjects, I work on commissions for calligraphic or design work.

How does having a studio at Magdalen road support your work?

Having a studio at Magdalen Road enables me to work on large pieces. It also gives me the chance to meet other artists and I believe that sharing artistic sensibilities and ideas always challenge positively our own practice. In addition, the recent development at MRS, i.e the creation of the Gallery space, allows me to gain visibility and to present my work to a wider audience.

What are you hoping to achieve over the next year?

Ideally I would like to find a few venues to exhibit my work. I am also hoping to develop a project incorporating both traditional and digital media…….. but this is still a secret and at the research stage.